Does Anyone Still Just Collect Cards?

raulus · #1 03-24-2024, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike D.

I wrote an article a while back on the different types of collectors.

Fun read.

It does seem to leave out some of us. For example, I found myself not really falling into any of the groups described, although I suppose I’m kinda sorta sometimes in some of these groups. It almost seemed like the article suggested that there’s a pure play collector who cares not one whit about value, a la Jingram, and then a whole bunch of different investors, who take different approaches to their hold period and focus.

Personally, I collect what I like, and I collect it because it brings me joy. Value is definitely secondary. But because so much of my personal fortune is tied up in cardboard, I can’t be completely agnostic as to value. At the same time, I certainly don’t buy it because I expect it to go up in value. And when I buy, I generally plan to hold it for decades. If investing for a return was important to me, I probably would have sold everything about a year or two ago.

But with so much invested, barring a really strong run from my more traditional investments, it will almost certainly be a part of the value that funds some portion of my retirement. The value also matters because of not having to be on the receiving end of grief from my wife. She’s convinced that I’m going to lose my shirt, and it helps with our relationship that it hasn’t happened yet.

jingram058 · #2 03-24-2024, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raulus

Fun read.

It does seem to leave out some of us. For example, I found myself not really falling into any of the groups described, although I suppose I�m kinda sorta sometimes in some of these groups. It almost seemed like the article suggested that there�s a pure play collector who cares not one whit about value, a la Jingram, and then a whole bunch of different investors, who take different approaches to their hold period and focus.

Personally, I collect what I like, and I collect it because it brings me joy. Value is definitely secondary. But because so much of my personal fortune is tied up in cardboard, I can�t be completely agnostic as to value. At the same time, I certainly don�t buy it because I expect it to go up in value. And when I buy, I generally plan to hold it for decades. If investing for a return was important to me, I probably would have sold everything about a year or two ago.

But with so much invested, barring a really strong run from my more traditional investments, it will almost certainly be a part of the value that funds some portion of my retirement. The value also matters because of not having to be on the receiving end of grief from my wife. She�s convinced that I�m going to lose my shirt, and it helps with our relationship that it hasn�t happened yet.

Mike D's article was a fun read.

You, sir, seem to have a very clear grasp of all of this "collecting".

ALBB · #3 03-24-2024, 05:20 PM

I like to say I want to walk away from the hobby with just one small milk crate of my stuff

raulus · #4 03-24-2024, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jingram058

Mike D's article was a fun read.

You, sir, seem to have a very clear grasp of all of this "collecting".

HA.

I appreciate the praise. At the same time, I’m not convinced that I’m all that special or admirable.

And personally, I’m in the camp of being a big believer that we shouldn’t place limits or constraints on how anyone collects. Sometimes we can seem just a little too much like the high priests of cardboard running around and pronouncing people unclean because their motives or approach are insufficiently pure.

But I suppose we’ve got to talk about something on a chat board. We can only debate pricing and grading and AHs and card alterations so many times before we get back around to how we collect, and our sensitivities to the various approaches we see.

Edited to add: I suppose we can always stick to calling each other names and engaging in mutual ridicule, because that’s good fun too!

homerunhitter · #5 03-24-2024, 06:35 PM

Wouldn�t it be cool to just pull out an old cigar box with a stack of vintage topps cards rubber banded together and just hold them and smell that old card smell?

If you said yes, you�re a true collector. If you said no then you�re an investor! Am I right?

Mike D. · #6 03-24-2024, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homerunhitter

Wouldn�t it be cool to just pull out an old cigar box with a stack of vintage topps cards rubber banded together and just hold them and smell that old card smell?

If you said yes, you�re a true collector. If you said no then you�re an investor! Am I right?

Well, I guess a few of us could just be "mold spore enthusiasts", too.

Gorditadogg · #7 03-24-2024, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homerunhitter

Wouldn�t it be cool to just pull out an old cigar box with a stack of vintage topps cards rubber banded together and just hold them and smell that old card smell?

If you said yes, you�re a true collector. If you said no then you�re an investor! Am I right?

I suspect that 90% of us are collectors that are happy our card values are going up, so that we can tell our wives we are investors.

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BRoberts · #8 03-24-2024, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homerunhitter

Wouldn�t it be cool to just pull out an old cigar box with a stack of vintage topps cards rubber banded together and just hold them and smell that old card smell?

If you said yes, you�re a true collector. If you said no then you�re an investor! Am I right?

You couldn't be more wrong. You, me, James Ingram or anyone else doesn't get to define what a "true collector" is. And though James seems to get joy from putting himself on a pedestal because he fits the definition of "collector" that he himself created, it's a hollow victory.

Actually, if elevating himself because he doesn't like graded cards and supposedly doesn't care about the value of his collection gives him joy -- and it clearly does because he posts about his perceived superiority quite often -- then good for him. He's enjoying the hobby in his own way: self-congratulation.

It is, however, a slap in the face to the countless number of collectors -- yes, collectors -- who don't fit his narrow definition.

Luke · #9 03-24-2024, 09:20 PM

I don't really get the point of trying to define what a collector is or should be. We all have different life circumstances and budgets so the things we accumulate are going to be different. If you always dreamed of owning a '52 Mantle, and now you can afford it and justify it, you have to consider the value and leave it in a graded holder.

I'm not going to make this argument because I don't think any of us are more true collectors than anyone else, but the argument could be made that the guy who owns a bunch of high value slabbed cards is "more of a collector" than the guy who has a shoebox full of $5 cards. You could argue the guy with all the big time cards actually loves cards more because he's willing to take the risk involved with spending a larger % of his money than the shoebox guy on cards because he loves them that much.

Now, I think what I just wrote is asinine, but so is inferring that the shoebox guy is more of a collector than the slabbed guy. It would be great to focus on what unites us rather than our differences.

Gorditadogg · #10 03-24-2024, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke

I don't really get the point of trying to define what a collector is or should be. We all have different life circumstances and budgets so the things we accumulate are going to be different. If you always dreamed of owning a '52 Mantle, and now you can afford it and justify it, you have to consider the value and leave it in a graded holder.

I'm not going to make this argument because I don't think any of us are more true collectors than anyone else, but the argument could be made that the guy who owns a bunch of high value slabbed cards is "more of a collector" than the guy who has a shoebox full of $5 cards. You could argue the guy with all the big time cards actually loves cards more because he's willing to take the risk involved with spending a larger % of his money than the shoebox guy on cards because he loves them that much.

Now, I think what I just wrote is asinine, but so is inferring that the shoebox guy is more of a collector than the slabbed guy. It would be great to focus on what unites us rather than our differences.

Luke, I agree with everything you said.

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homerunhitter · #11 03-24-2024, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke

I don't really get the point of trying to define what a collector is or should be. We all have different life circumstances and budgets so the things we accumulate are going to be different. If you always dreamed of owning a '52 Mantle, and now you can afford it and justify it, you have to consider the value and leave it in a graded holder.

I'm not going to make this argument because I don't think any of us are more true collectors than anyone else, but the argument could be made that the guy who owns a bunch of high value slabbed cards is "more of a collector" than the guy who has a shoebox full of $5 cards. You could argue the guy with all the big time cards actually loves cards more because he's willing to take the risk involved with spending a larger % of his money than the shoebox guy on cards because he loves them that much.

Now, I think what I just wrote is asinine, but so is inferring that the shoebox guy is more of a collector than the slabbed guy. It would be great to focus on what unites us rather than our differences.

very, very excellent and eye opening points. After reading your posts a couple times over and over. I agree with you 110% my friend. Very Well said! Thank you!

Mike D. · #12 03-24-2024, 06:39 PM

Thanks folks for the comments on the article. Hopefully the fact that there are lots of ways to collect and none of them are "wrong" came through. That way my intention anyway.

I also think that buying what you like and enjoying it is awesome...and hey, if it goes up in value, or at least holds it's value, that's an amazing bonus.

raulus · #13 03-24-2024, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike D.

Thanks folks for the comments on the article. Hopefully the fact that there are lots of ways to collect and none of them are "wrong" came through. That way my intention anyway.

Definitely came through loud and clear.

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